Fallball Check-In: Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia returns to the field this fall coming off a semifinals appearance in the NCAA tournament. In an absolute sense, Virginia has had very successful seasons of late. However, for two seasons in a row the Cavaliers have held the No. 1 ranking and a record just short of immaculate entering the postseason, yet have only come away with one ACC title and failed to make a NCAA finals appearance.

Another season of high expectations looms around the corner for the Cavs as they boast the No. 4 ranked recruiting class, a talented group of veteran midfielders and much of their firepower back on offense.

The focus for Virginia this fall will be exactly that: a chance for the team to get back on lacrosse and take their focus away from distractions outside the lines.

With the departure of senior defenders Ken Clausen and Ryan Nizolek, the Cavaliers must pick up the pieces of what was once the best defensive line in the nation.

“I think we’re a team that I believe will score some goals this year,” coach Dom Starsia said. “The big question with us is going to be holding down the fort at the other end. Having Adam Ghitelman will give us some comfort, [but] we’re going be young and new at that end.”

Between two new starters on defense and a burgeoning attack line, there will be many upcoming personnel decisions for Virginia.

“It’s going be 2011 that everybody’s looking at, we have to get it ready. I mean we’re a program that usually has young talent around and we have to put the pieces together as we look to the coming season. We’re still running a bunch of different guys.”

The No. 4 ranked recruiting class joins the Cavaliers this season. Just a few weeks into fallball, Starsia has already noticed several freshman standouts.

“We always get good players to come here,” Starsia said. “The question is ultimately answered in terms of how that manifests itself come springtime. What we’ve seen through fall lacrosse is that it looks like a couple of those guys are really gonna help us.”

Virginia will look for leadership from veteran senior defender Matt Lovejoy and goalie Adam Ghitelman as they try to hold a decimated defensive line together. Clausen and Nizolek, who anchored one of the best defenses in the country for four years, graduated last year leaving Lovejoy as the sole returning starter. The Cavaliers also have experience at LSM as senior Bray Malphrus also returns.

“Losing guys like Ken Clausen and Ryan Nizolek is going be tough obviously,” Ghitelman said. “But we got some guys that came in — Harry Prevas, Scott McWilliams, Bray Malphrus are back and Matt Lovejoy is back. They transitioned well. Prevas has been in the system for a year. McWilliams has been great actually; he’s come in full speed. It’s great to put a little pressure on me to get those guys into the system.”

Just a year ago, the Cavaliers went through a similar rebuilding process on offense when their attack lost two senior starters and was left with a sophomore to captain the front-line. Now a junior, Steele Stanwick will work during the fall to build on his already versatile skill set. Because he was the least experienced player on a potent attack line in 2009, Stanwick received the least attention from opponents. Last year pressure was then put on the sophomore to be able to continue his early success, this time being marked by the opponent's best defender. Stanwick responded with 29 goals and 32 assists while quarterbacking a rotating cast of inexperienced freshmen and sophomore offensive players.

“Coaches are notorious for saying things are a work in progress,” said Starsia, “but I’d say that spot is still a work in progress for us. I feel we’re more dangerous in the midfield than we’ve been, so I think we can take some more pressure off that third attack spot by just being more dangerous in other spots.”

That “other spot” will be the most anticipated component of the Cavalier roster. Twin brothers Shamel and Rhamel Bratton will lead the first line midfielders.

“I think myself, my brother, and John Haldy [will be the first line] as of right now,” senior midfielder Shamel Bratton said. “Rob Emery’s looking good up there on the second line.”

The two Brattons combined for 47 goals in 2010.

At the face-off X, Garret Ince, Ryan Benincasa and Brian McDermott, who each saw time last season, all return and have continued to share the facing off responsibilities through the fall.

Each fall, Virginia hosts an Alumni Lacrosse game which features an exciting match-up between its current roster and alumni, which usually includes many MLL players.

This year, though no seniors participated, the game featured many of the up-and-comers that will have to step into key positions in 2011. The Cavaliers also participated in the Play for Parkinson's Tournament and will take on Navy on Friday.

Virginia will take on Cornell at the 2011 Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic on March 12 at M&T Bank Stadium. Click here for more information.